He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.
In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and The Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.
Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected a city councillor in his home town Salvador in 1989. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.
When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture, a post he held until 2008. While minister, Gil released his songs "Refazenda", "Rebento" and "Refavela" under the Creative Commons Sampling License.
In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipient of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.
In September 2005 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).
His daughter Preta Gil is also a musician.
Mardi 10 Mars
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et se la voudra ma poésie
Mardi dix mars
Et se la voudra ma poésie d'amour
Noire qui est toujours été à la recherche
De la passion
La plus profonde à vivre
Je vous dirai malgré
Que je sois bien, bien, bien, bien proche
Il manquera toujours
Un rêve à poursuivre
Et se la voudra
Toujours, toujours il manquera l'amour
À mettre dans l'esclavage un cœur libre
The above lyrics are from Gilberto Gil's song Mardi 10 Mars, which translates to Tuesday 10 March in English. In the beginning of the song, he mentions Tuesday 10 March and how his love poetry will reflect that day. The lyrics then mention a woman who is always searching for the deepest passion she can experience. Even though the singer is close to her, there will always be a dream that she wants to pursue. The last line of the song talks about the importance of love in putting a free heart into slavery.
The lyrics seem to be about unrequited love or a love that cannot be fulfilled. The woman mentioned in the lyrics is always seeking something deeper and cannot be satisfied with what she has. The singer mentions that even though he is close to her, there will still be something missing in their relationship. The last line of the song is a bit ambiguous as it can be interpreted in different ways. It could mean that love is necessary to make a free heart feel complete or it could mean that love can lead to someone losing their freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Mardi dix mars
Tuesday, March 10th
Et se la voudra ma poésie
And my poetry will want it
Mardi dix mars
Tuesday, March 10th
Et se la voudra ma poésie d'amour
And my love poetry will want it
Noire qui est toujours été à la recherche
Blackness that has always been searching
De la passion
For passion
La plus profonde à vivre
The deepest to live
Je vous dirai malgré
I will tell you despite
Que je sois bien, bien, bien, bien proche
That I am very, very, very, very close
Il manquera toujours
It will always be missing
Un rêve à poursuivre
A dream to pursue
Et se la voudra
And it will want to
Toujours, toujours il manquera l'amour
Always, always missing love
À mettre dans l'esclavage un cœur libre
To enslave a free heart
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GILBERTO GIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind